iPod Interface + Bose = WIN

[Design]

Got around to installing the OEM iPod interface today on my 09 MS3. Took about 3 hrs taking my time. I spent much of my time making sure everything got surrounded in foam to eliminate any possible rattles.

First impression is that this is a MUST for those who plan to keep their Bose. The highs are crystal clear, and the mids/lows have excellent balance. Sub-70hz is virtually non-existent, but otherwise the system performs well. I was previously using a ground isolator on the aux line, and the sound was a bit muddy/muffled. However, this interface has resolved all my issues.

Here are a few pics of the install. I'll probably post a full walkthrough next week.


Installing the interface unit under the dash center panel:

Splicing into the 12-pin LCD harness. Black wire splices on the blue LCD wire. Red wire splices on the grey LCD wire:

Everything wrapped up in foam. The instructions only require you to use 5 foam pads, but I used all 10. I HATE rattles, lol.

Finished!

[/quote]

 

[eg6motion]

nice...been thinking of doing this myself

 

[Design]

The interface is actually pretty good, but not as good as a standard iPod interface from manufacturers such as Alpine or Pioneer. You use the tune knob to select your iPod menu, the Disc button to browse through playlists, and the seek button to advance through songs. Holding down the seek button on the steering wheel control allows you to quickly advance to your song of choice. All the information shows up on the LCD screen.

Now that my initial impressions have worn off, I am still very happy with this product. For anyone considering this purchase, GET IT!! Keep in mind that all cars built before MY 08.5 do not feature controls using the LCD display.

 

[marcusdigi]

how does this compare to the DICE mazda ipod integration kit?

What does Pioneer and Alpine make that works to integrate the ipod controls?

Basically I want full function of my ipod from the factory stereo controls when docked and charging. I also want the LCD display to show song/artist information. i'm hoping to have one that lets me scroll through the ipod from selecting by artist, or genre, playlist, or shuffle etc.

As of now I've been just playing the ipod through the auxilary input in the center console and using the ipod to select my songs. Hopefully if the DICE or any other ipod integration kit works well enough I will be able to dock my ipod, leave it docked, and control EVERYTHING from the radio controls and red screen.

 

[Nliiitend1]

I've been looking into the DICE unit myself, as it seems to have the best claimed compatibility with the new ipod models...I haven't looked into that thoroughly yet though...

 

[Fenrir]

Anyone know if the OEM kit will work with the iPhone? Been on the fence about getting some sort of kit.

 

[UHATEIT]

thats an awesome item! I upgraded to a touch screen pioneer with the ipod interface already on it. But if i had my stock deck I'd snag one of these! Looks like you did an awesome install job! VERY CLEAN!

 

[KenOnBass]

Thanks for posting this...a few questions.

Is it possible to play just one album or an individual track or must everything be organized by playlist?

How's the latency when navigating the iPod? Is it fairly quick/as quick at the iPod wheel?

Thanks!

The interface is actually pretty good, but not as good as a standard iPod interface from manufacturers such as Alpine or Pioneer. You use the tune knob to select your iPod menu, the Disc button to browse through playlists, and the seek button to advance through songs. Holding down the seek button on the steering wheel control allows you to quickly advance to your song of choice. All the information shows up on the LCD screen.

Now that my initial impressions have worn off, I am still very happy with this product. For anyone considering this purchase, GET IT!! Keep in mind that all cars built before MY 08.5 do not feature controls using the LCD display.

 

[dizzin9]

does it have like a built-in amp or something?

 

[Design]

Sorry I never checked back on this thread. These are old questions, but I'll answer anyway in case others are interested:

how does this compare to the DICE mazda ipod integration kit?

What does Pioneer and Alpine make that works to integrate the ipod controls?

Basically I want full function of my ipod from the factory stereo controls when docked and charging. I also want the LCD display to show song/artist information. i'm hoping to have one that lets me scroll through the ipod from selecting by artist, or genre, playlist, or shuffle etc.

As of now I've been just playing the ipod through the auxilary input in the center console and using the ipod to select my songs. Hopefully if the DICE or any other ipod integration kit works well enough I will be able to dock my ipod, leave it docked, and control EVERYTHING from the radio controls and red screen.

If you have an 08.5 or 09 Mazda 3, the OEM unit will do almost everything. You can filter the display by Artist, Song, Album, or Playlist. You can also scroll through your menu using Artist, Song, Album or Playlist. You can toggle Random or Repeat, use the seek to FF through a song, or change the display at any time. Steering wheel controls are fully functional.

I can't accurately compare DICE since I haven't used one. But based on what I've read, the OEM module is currently the best interface for the 08.5-09 HU.

Anyone know if the OEM kit will work with the iPhone? Been on the fence about getting some sort of kit.

I remember reading that people can use the iPhone with the OEM module, but I can't find the thread about it. May want to call a few dealers and see if they know any Mazda owners that have used it. My understanding is that the modules are fairly universal in compatibility between different Mazda models.

Is it possible to play just one album or an individual track or must everything be organized by playlist?

How's the latency when navigating the iPod? Is it fairly quick/as quick at the iPod wheel?

You can play an album, track, playlist, or all songs by artist. There is no latency when advancing songs, but there is a built-in delay to viewing alphabetical text information. When advancing through tracks quickly, it will show the song number for 3 seconds, then revert back to the artist/song/album.

Also, the interface suffers because you can't see more than one level of text on the LCD at any one time. So if you have 700 songs on your playlist, and you want song #451, it could take a minute or two to get there. Holding down the seek button on the steering wheel allows you to quickly scroll through tracks (listed by number). So the controls work well, but they are not as intuitive as some aftermarket Head Units with a built-in iPod interface.

does it have like a built-in amp or something?

No, it is simply a direct connection that keeps the Aux and Siruis controls in tact.

The sound quality is noticeably better than a traditional Aux line in, but it still suffers from some distortion due to the Bose signal processor in the amp. I would compare the audio quality to that of playing a good quality audio CD (not a burnt copy).

 

[Nliiitend1]

Man, this kinda makes me want an '08.5-'09 head unit...

 

[Doozy]

will this work with the iphone?

 

[TheMAN]

I installed this a couple of weeks ago also... it makes low quality MP3s sound GREAT with the mazda ipod adapter! I installed the box next to the glovebox though and it works fine... it's all plug and play for my 05 bose system, no need to splice any wires I'm quite happy with my bose system and nobody can tell me its crap... sure it's not the best thing out there but it does its job for the price... as long as you don't put it to deaf inducing loudness, or try to shake down the street, it's fine... there is no need to put the settings to any extreme to get it to sound good... if you do that, it will sound like s***! I really think most people who say it sounds bad are the ones who like to listen to their s*** loud and like their s*** bassy

too bad it can't do the song display s*** like the 08.5 and 09s can though

using any sort of ipod integration is the ONLY way to go if you want quality audio... the aux in jack (not in 04-05) sucks!

 

[halo0]

Man, this kinda makes me want an '08.5-'09 head unit...

I have one just sitting here...

 

[Design]

will this work with the iphone?

Try talking to the dealer and see if they've come across customers who've used their iPhone with the harness adapter. The iPhone uses the same firmware as the iPod Touch, and those DO work with the OEM adapter. GL.

 

[Ante]

Where can i get this kit from..

 

[SwampAss]

Silversun pickups.

 

[Design]

LOL.

There are a few forum sponsors selling them.

 

[kjohn]

so to use the IPOD with the OEM kit(in a 2008.5), do you push the AUX or the SAT button on the HU, because I read that it is not compatible if you have sirius installed, so I wondered if maybe it used the SAT button, so I could still have something else hooked up to the AUX output in the armrest

 

[Design]

so to use the IPOD with the OEM kit(in a 2008.5), do you push the AUX or the SAT button on the HU, because I read that it is not compatible if you have sirius installed, so I wondered if maybe it used the SAT button, so I could still have something else hooked up to the AUX output in the armrest

There is no Aux button; only a media button. Pressing it twice will toggle between Aux and iPod. So I believe you can still use the Aux input, but you need the harness kit specifically built to accommodate the Sirius.